Cigar-making machinery



Feb. 9 1926. 1,571,968

H. ROBY CIGAR MAKI NG MACHINERY Filed Nov. 13, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i i a '70 l I mli I u IIH i i ii m Patented Feb. 9, 1926.

UNITED STATES HARRY L ROBY, OF BARNESVILLE, OHIO.

CIGAR-MAKING MACHINERY.

' Application filed November 13, 1924. Serial No. 749,626.

To all whom itmay concern Be it known that I, HARRY L. RoBY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Barnesville, in the county of Belmont and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cigar-Making Machinery, of 'which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in cigar making machinery, and has for its primary objectfthe provision of an improved mold structure through the use of which the process of manufacturing cigars is materially expedited in a labor and cost saving manner and the quality of the tinished product maintained at a high standard.

Another object of' the invention'resides in the provision of. animproved cigar iolding and shaping machine which performs automatically the duty previously performed by hand pressing and delivering between two units, the construction of the machine being such as to impartthe necessary pressure to all bunches equally withthe end in view of improving the workmanship on the bunch and the finished product.

Another object of the invention is to prevent drying out ofthe tobacco during the molding operation by the employment of metal cups or molds which deliver the cigar bunches from the bunch maker to the roller or wrapper operator by an endless chain conveyor carrying the shaped Y cups or molds, the cups or molds automatically closing into interfitting relation to produce the required perfect shape.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision'of a combined molding machine and conveyor which provides a means for mechanically transferring cigar bunches from the bunch forming operators .to the wrapper applying operators and at fully described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of theimproved conveyor mold comprising the present invention,

Figure 2 is a sideelevation thereof,

Figure 3 is an end elevation,

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through the dripping end of the machine,

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional View on the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view through one of the mold sections, and

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on the 'line 7 7 of Figure 6.

In the specific form of the invention .illustrated in the accompanying drawings the numeral 1 designates the bed or supporting frame of my improved cigar pressing 'or molding machine. This frame is formedto comprise side members 22 in which are provided openings for the reception of adjustable bearing boxes 3. mounted for rotation within the bearing boxes 3 are upper and lower sets of cross shafts 4 upon which are mounted trans- .versely spaced sprockets5. Obviously, the

sprockets may be either fixed for rotation with the cross shafts 4, or may rotate loosely around the axis thereof. Passing around the sprockets 5 are longitudinally extending transversely spaced endless chains 6 and 7, the chain 6 being disposed in the upper part of the frame and the chain 7 in the lower part thereof and spaced vertically with relation to each other. The boxes 3 are adjustable by means of .the usual screws 8 for the purpose of controlling the degree of tension uponthe chains 6 and 7.

Mounted upon the chains 6 and 7 are a plurality of bunch receiving molds 9. Each of these molds consists of two sections,

.a main section 10 and a supplemental or Either fixed or lar socket (see Figure in which the cigar hunch is rereivtal. it will be observed that the sides l-loit' each of the main sections 10 are extended so as to receive between them the int erlittingr portion 15 ot the cover section 11. This insures proper registration and cooperation between the eomplemental sections 1.0 and 11, and the intertitting movement of the two sect ions is l'0 1llltllIQtl by pro viding the cover section with outstanding ribs 16 which seat upon the outer edges ot the sides it, thereby limiting relative inter- .titting movement between said mold sections.

The machine is constructed to permit of the convenient and facile removal ot the molds tt'rom connection with the chains (3 and 7 so as to permit of the substitution of other molds having bunch receiving cavities of varying configuration in order that the ditlereut shapes or styles of cigars may be readily produced on the single machine. This object is preterably attained by providing each of the sections 10 and ll with longritudinally projecting attaching lugs 17, as shown in .l ipure 6. These lugs each have their ends perforated to receive a screw or other fastening device in which is threaded into one 01'' the blocks 15) carried, in this instance, y the links oi? the chains 6 and T- lly the simple use of a screw driver. the mold sections maybe attached to or removed from the chains with security and convenience.

liy reason of the spacing of the upper and lower sets 0t chains 6 and T and by timing the rotation of the sprockets 5, it will. be seen that upon the rotation oi said sprockets movement will be imparted synehroncuisly to said chains and consequently the molds 5). The timing is such as to cause the cover sections to properly register one with the other, as clearly disclosed in Figure l. Them in order to bring; the cover sections down into the main or base sections 10, the frame 1 is provided with a plurality of idler sprockets 20, which are disposed immediately adjacent to the sprockets 5 at each end oi? the machine. It will be observed, however, that the sprockets 2t) engage with the links of the chains 6 and 7 at points between the circular pitch lines of the sprockets 5. Due to this, relative movement toward one another between the mold sections is produced while said sections a re travelling along the advancing; runs of the chains 6 and T. This lnoven'iont is iinlependent ot the relative movement between said isections effected by the passage thereof around the sprockets 5. In tact, as shown in Figure 4, the pitch diameter oi the sprockets 5 is mere 1y sullicient to bring the mold sections into slight contact with one another. but through the added employment of the idler sprockets 90, further and final relative movementbetween said mold sections secured. which insures proper interlitting between the base and cover sections 10 and 11, oi the molds. 'lheretore. bunches placed within the cavt ties ot the base sections will be subjected to pressure during the travel of the bunches through the machine, and this pressure adequate to uniformly press each individual bunch so as to insure a uniformity in the product greatly lacking in mold structures o'l ordinary term.

Not only does the machine serve as a facile and expeditious mold mechanism but also possesses the attributes of a conveyor and materially assists in systematizing the procedure o't' cigar manutacture. llitherto it has been customary for the bunch maker, alter roughly finishing a cigar bunch, to place each individual bunch in a flat mold. containing twelve or more bunches each. Then, to place these molds in a, press to impart the desired pressure thereto and shape the roughly made bunch, compress it into proper torin. Upon the removal of the mold trom the press the same was then carried over to the cigar wrapper, who applies the binding and wrappingleaves of tobacco to complete the finishing oi the cigar. "ly the use of the present machine a trz'iveling mold structure is provided. The bunch former atter roughly rolling each bunch, places the bunch. into a cavity provided in one of the base sections ill of the mold. The machine is then operated, as will be presently described, so as to advance the chains 6 and 7. whereby the sections 10 and 11 of the mold are brought into proper matingand Pl'GSSlllQ relation, so as to press fully and adequately each cigar bunch contained within the molds 9 while the latter are travelling with the advance runs oi the chains 6 and 7. After passing through the machine in this manner the finished product is thcndelivered from the machine to the table of the wrapper operator, who selects the pressed bunches as tast as they are delivered from the machine and completes the wrapping operation. It will be observed that neither the bunch forming operators nor the wrapping oper ators have had their duties disturbed in any way. The bunch former merely places a roughly formed bunch in the machini and the wrapper operator removes this bunch utter pressing from the machine. In other words, the machine is simultaneously pertorming two operations, to-wit, the pressing; oi the cigar bunches and the deliverinp thereof from one department of cigar malting to the next consecutive department. It will be observed that the advancing runs of the chains 6 anQl T are supported upon fixed guides 21, which maintain the mold sections in proper intertitting relation throughout their travel along the advancing runs oi. said chains. This prevents sagging ot the ltlt) lit) chains and overcomes thereby undue tion of the mold sections.

Any suitable means may of course be provided for imparting power to the chains to effect their continuous or intermittent operation. In the present form of the machine I have shown the shafts 4 and 4 as provided with gear wheels 22. These wheels are preferably fixed upon the shafts 4 and l so that the latter will be caused to revolve synchronously. Corresponding movement will of course be applied to all of the sprockets 5. Then, in order to rotate the sprockets, the shaft l, as shown in Figure 5, has fixed thereon a ratchet wheel 23. Adjacent the wheel 23 and loosely mounted upon the shaft 4? for pivotal movement about the axis thereofis a rocking link 24. One end of this link carries a spring pressed pivoted pawl 25, which engages with the ratchet 23 when thelink 24 is oscillated in one direction.

To rock the link 24, the end of the latter opposite to the pawl 25 and on the other side of the shaft is pivotally connected with a vertical bar 26. This bar has its lower end pivotally joined as at 27 to a treadle bar 28, which is pivoted as at 29 upon a suitable base and has one end thereof normally elevated by means of a return spring 30. The treadle bar at one end is formed with an enlarged foot receiving portion 31 which may be situated, for example, adjacent the bunch forming operator. As the latter finishes a bunch and desires to advance the molds, he merely presses upon the bar 28 by applying foot pressure thereto. This rocks the bar about its pivot 29, causing upward movement of the bar 26, and the consequent oscillation of the link 24:. By rocking the link 24 in this manner the pawl 25 is forced downwardly, rotating the ratchet wheel and the shaft 4* in unison therewith. When the operator releases the treadle bar 28, the latter responds to the spring 30 and returns to its normal position, thereby elevating the pawl 25 for further operation. It is manifest-1y within the scope of this invention to apply power to the machine in any other desired way, and I therefore do not desire to be limited to the manual operating method disclosed, but may resort to a power system of operation of a clutch control nature rather than the specific form herein described.

In view of the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings it will be seen that there is provided a cigar molding and shaping machine which performs automatically the work hitherto done manually of pressing cigar bunches and delivering them from one department in cigar manufacture to another department. The design of the machine is such that the interfitting molds will apply the necessary pressure and distribute the same separauniformly upon all cigar bunches equally. This im roves the workmanship materially, since by mud operations it is practically impossible to apply the same degree of pressure to all bunches. Further, the machine prevents the drying out of the tobacco during the pressing operation by reason of the speed with which the pressing or molding operation is carried on and by the fact that the mold sections are preferably formed from metal, although I do' not limit myself to the use of this material. Further, by delivering mechanically the mold bunches from the bunch makers to the wrapper operators a great saving in time is produced and these operators, who are performing skilled work, do not lose any time in the performing of duties not in proportion to the work they are required to perform.

That is claimed is:

1. In a cigar molding machine, spaced upper and lower sets of endless carriers, mold sections mounted for travel in unison with said carriers, and means for imparting power to said carriers.

2. In a cigar molding machine, spaced upper and lower sets of endless carriers. mold sections carried by each of said sets of carriers and arranged in interfitting relation during the movement of said mold sections along the advancing runs of said carriers, and means for imparting power to said carriers. 7

'3. In a cigar molding machine, spaced upper and lower sets of endless carriers, separable molds including base sections movable in unison with the lower set of carriers and cover sections movable in unison with said upper set of carriers, means for bringing said mold sections into interfitting relation during the passage thereof along the advancing runs of said carriers, and means for imparting movement to said carriers.

4. In a cigar molding and conveying machine, upper and lower conveyors, mold sections carried by said conveyors, means for imparting relative movement between said mold sections during the passage thereof along the adjacent runs of said-conveyors, and means for imparting movement to said conveyors.

5. In a cigar molding machine, spaced upper and lower sets of endless carriers,

mold sections removably mounted upon said carriers and arranged in interfitting relation during the passage thereof along the advancing runs of said carriers, and means for imparting movement to said carriers.

6. In a cigar forming machine, upper and lower sets of endless chains, separable molds carried by said chains and consisting of base sections carried in connection with the lower set of chains and cover sections carried in connection with the upper set of chains, means for imparting relative approaeh LEUYOEHPHE between said mold sections while lhe lzdle' are moving; in unison wilh the advance runs of snid chains, and means "for applying power to said chains.

1'. 7n :1 eigrar inaliing machine nppeand lower f-Jiirl or eonverors. and a plurality oi? inreri'il'line' metallic mold seei'ions carried by said eonreors. said mold sections being arranged in registering relal'ion when lHOYlllQf in unison with the advancing runs of said eonrerors.

8. In a rigiar making maehine, spaced none and lower sets of conveyors, register inn nielallirinolds rarried by said conveyors, said molds having regisiering re eesses formed therein for the reception of cigar bnnehrs, whereby when said molds are moving n unison with the advancing runs of said conveyors pressure will be imparl'ed to the contents of the molds, and means: for a wiring power to said conveyors.

i). in a cigar making: maehiner spaced 111% per and lower sets ol? endless conveyor ehains, Rpm-ulcers around which said ehains pas; molds including base sections carried y llae lower so? of ehains nnd cover sections nailing will. (be has: seel'ions earl'ied by the iron-r sei of chains, guide members cooper- :l ire with the advancing runs oil said chains for eil'eetsng; ll'ltillll'llllgl' relation between snid mold eeei'ions when the latter are moving" 2 long: the adraneing runs of said chains, and means for applying power to said chains.

ill. in a eigar makingmaehine, spaced upper and lower reels oil" endless conveyors, nolda inelnding base sertions inonnl'ed upon the lower of said eonxeyors and complelllilliill eorer HLL'ilUHH arranged for roommen? in unison with the upper of said c0nreyors, guide members eooperative with said eonxevors For ell'eel'ingr interilitting relation bei'ween said mold sections during the passage of rho latte alongthe advancing runs of said conveyors, and means fo' applying power to said conveyors.

lo testimony whereof I affix my signw tore.

HART Y L. BODY. 

